During April 2005, we took a little road trip south and east. Our journey began in Saint Louis and took us to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, for a few days of exploring.

Our destination was Charleston, South Carolina. As we all know, it isn’t always about the destination, but rather the journey.

After our stay in Williamsburg we drove down through North Carolina, via the Outer Banks. Absolutely wonderful drive.

We spent several days in Charleston, where we walked all around the historic streets, took tours, had wonderful meals and visited the Market, where we purchased several prints of iron gates, seen around town.

The prints are from the work of artist Mayfield Williams. Williams’ mother, an absolutely delightful southern lady, was selling the work from a booth at the Market. We enjoyed talking with her; spending quite a bit of time with her, that morning.

I added two iron pieces, from the basement storage. What I really want, above the mantel, is a gate, instead of the “scrollie”. I think I know where I can find one. I’ll be looking on our way to the lake tomorrow.

The piece on the hearth is made of three separate iron pieces, strapped together. I bought the pieces at Welcome Home, a store that is now closed.

Bear with me on the faux ferns. As soon as Lowe’s has living ferns, in stock, I’ll be buying one to replace the silk, which is fine for now.

Besides the Williams prints of gates and Rainbow Row (Charleston), I used white ironstone and chicken wire cloches.

I used felt adhesive dots to secure the frames. The mantel is fairly high from floor level, so the dots aren’t visible.

As I mentioned, above, we are driving down to the lake. A short trip, this time, to pick up something we purchased, last week, for one corner of the hearth room. When we have it in place, I’ll post photos.

MOLLY

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think of you.~John Wooden

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, that we will begin to live each day to the fullest; as if it were the only one we had.~Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross~